DALLAS- Southwest Airlines (WN) and Archer Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore developing electric air taxi networks using Archer’s eVTOL aircraft at California airports where Southwest operates.
Archer Aviation is a leading maker of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Southwest to Fly Archer Air Taxi
Southwest, the largest airline in California, serves 14 airports across the state. Archer’s Midnight aircraft aims to revolutionize urban travel by cutting 60-to-90-minute car commutes down to 10-to-20-minute electric air taxi flights. These aircraft are designed to be safe, quiet, cost-competitive, and emissions-free.
Southwest and Archer plan to work together to create a concept of operations for electric air taxi networks, benefiting California airports and nearby communities served by Southwest.
This partnership will involve collaboration with Southwest employees and unions, including SWAPA, to ensure efficient operations. This initiative is a significant step toward offering Southwest customers a quicker, more streamlined airport transport service.
Executive Remarks
“Southwest is excited to explore the convenience that Archer’s air taxis could offer to our customers at busy urban airports,” said Paul Cullen, Vice President of Real Estate at Southwest Airlines.
As California’s largest carrier for nearly 25 years, integrating Archer’s electric aircraft into our travel experience presents an innovative opportunity to enhance flying with Southwest. We’re looking forward to working with Archer as we explore future commercial possibilities in California and other locations.”
Paul Cullen, Vice President of Real Estate at Southwest Airlines
“Archer’s partnership with Southwest to introduce air taxis in California highlights our state’s commitment to climate innovation and advanced technology,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
This initiative aims to revolutionize clean transportation with zero-emission and affordable options, improving the passenger experience and supporting California’s climate action goals.”
Dee Dee Myers
“With Archer’s Midnight aircraft, passengers can fly above traffic to reach the airport faster,” said Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer. “By combining Southwest’s extensive network of California airports and frequent intrastate flights with our planned air taxi network, customers could potentially complete trips like Santa Monica to Napa in under three hours.”
Over the next few years, Archer and Southwest will collaborate as eVTOLs take flight. This partnership aims to enhance the first and last miles of the customer travel journey by integrating Archer’s aircraft and urban air mobility network with Southwest flights.
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